www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=3096640333

Performancewise, how close does the SP-15 get to the SP-10?

the sp15 (and sp25) is closer to an old sl-1200 than sp10.

they use much smaller motors with cruder power supply than the sp10 mk2.

for a long time they were considered paperweights if the speed control IC died but are now repairable.

Sub, I’d assume SP10 owners will claim they don’t even come close...

I think that the one on TM does seem quite expensive, which is why it has hung around on there for so long. The complete kit (SH15-B1, EPA-500 etc) fetches top dollar on EBay etc though.

From all of the of research I’ve done on these now, and trying to filter out all the obvious biases, I would conclude that the SP-15 seem to be regarded as slightly better than the SP-25 (and SL-1200). Not just for the addition of the 78RPM and digital pitch control.

However, the SP-10 benefits from outboard power supply and that “higher moment of inertia”, but everything is relative and I doubt in practice that the SP15 sounds like a slouch in that regard. 
Apparently speed stability is an issue on the SP-15, and obviously the other unknowns will depend on the environment they have been working in.

I recently took a punt and bought a brand new sealed in box SP15 (complete with the copper staples!) which was a spare part for a radio station (probably RNZ, given the seller).



Hard to believe that I was the first human to see it since it left the factory 35 years ago... inside the box is completely mint, and all in its component bags!!!



I figure it will take me a while to get around to assembling and sourcing a suitable plinth and arm, but hoping it will all come together nicely.

I did mean to post a thread about it in DIY, partly as a small tribute to the positive contributions Owen made to my hifi journey along the way. Bear with me, it may take a while...

Where on earth do you guys stumble across these gems!?

x2  

although not totally surprised, there is a lot of NOS stuff hidden away.

Raveydave - what did that set you back ?

Interested in making a plinth for mine as well if you pursue this project. Cheers Dimitrios

Vintage Enthusiast and Collector
Owner of The Auckland Curiosity Shop

Hey Dimi.

Well....
I recently sourced a heavy-weight (16kg) original Technics SH-15B1 plinth, ex Japan.
Also from Japan, the matching EPA-500 armbase and 501H titanium-nitrite wand. Very sexy. 😍

Not quite as exciting as a proper DIY project, but sometimes you just need to accept your limitations.
I will start a thread on the assembly and associated challenges, with pics. Promise! 😬

May 20, 2021 17:59:13 GMT 12 michaelw said:

Raveydave - what did that set you back ?

A gentleman doesn’t ask, and a lady doesn’t tell. 😉

I'm no gentleman, and you certainly aint no lady, so spill the beans!

Base and arm look minty. 👍

Jun 10, 2021 20:23:40 GMT 12 Citroen said:

I'm no gentleman, and you certainly aint no lady, so spill the beans!

Thanks. Yes, looks to be in “beautiful condition”, let’s hope all arrives safely!

I'm curious what you think as well. I've seen the SP-15 described as comparable to the SP-10 in performance, but I'm skeptical. That tonearm, however, looks really good. It appears to have similar features to my Pioneer PA70 tonearm (damped counterweight, VTA adjustment, etc.) but is quite a bit more modern looking.

Custom Lenco, Terminator tone arm, SoundSmith Hyperion, Pioneer PL70 tone arm, Miyajima Zero
Wavestream Kinetics phono stage
Aurender S10, Holo Audio May KTE DAC, Parasound JC2 preamp
AtmaSphere MA-1 amps
Benchmark AHBP amps
Sound Lab Majestic 745 speakers
Two Rythmik 12SE subs, DIY dual 10” sub with MiniDSP 550W amp
AV Room Service EVPs under speakers and subs